Avalanche forecast

Cariboos

Jan 9 – 10, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A buried layer of surface hoar is in the snowpack and has been producing natural and human triggered avalanches.

Take a conservative approach to your decision making.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Continued snow and moderate southwesterly wind will build wind slabs in lee features.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3

    A layer of surface hoar remains reactive through the region.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident about the likelihood of avalanche activity, what is less certain are their possible size.

Avalanche Summary

Jan 7

  • Numerous large (up to size 3.5) natural and rider triggered avalanches continue to be reported in the region, many are failing on the early January surface hoar layer.

  • One large avalanche (size 3) cornice triggered avalanche failed much deeper on a crust from mid December.

Jan 3 to 6

  • Numerous natural and rider triggered avalanches were reported in the region up to size 3, at all elevations and on all aspects, though more are being observed on north and east aspects.


Snowpack Summary

Approximately 60 to 100 cm of recent snow has fallen in the past 3 days and, in many places is resting on a problematic layer of surface hoar that was buried January 2nd.

The prominent mid-December crust is buried up to 100 to 150cm deep, and is present up to 2300 m. Triggering this layer is considered unlikely, except with large loads or in thin snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. Up to 3 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

Regions covered